3 Reasons Why Coconut Oil is a Must for Your Pet

If you’re already on the coconut oil kick to improve your health, kudos to you! But did you know coconut oil can benefit your pets, too?

Show your four-legged pal a little extra love this holiday season and shop the best Black Friday sales at their favorite pet store — we’ve even found some fun pet gift ideas to get you started!

From your pocket pug to your cuddly lap cat, coconut oil can be useful for grooming your pet, reducing itchiness and treating ear infections, and even as digestive aid. Keep reading to find out how coconut oil is the cat’s pajamas!

Quick tip: Always be sure to consult your vet before you introduce your pet to coconut oil! Your vet can make recommendations on how much coconut oil you should use, if you should dilute it, and if other actions should be taken to ensure your pet is healthy, active, and happy!

2. It gives your pet a healthy coat & loosens tangles

If your pup’s been playing in puddles or kitty’s been napping in the backyard, it might be time for a B-A-T-H. Add some glossy shine to your pet’s coat with coconut oil. Just add a few drops to your pet’s shampoo and it will act as a conditioner, soothe any irritated skin, and deodorize any lingering smells. (If your kitty desperately needs a bath, check out Petfinder’s guide on how to give your cat a bath!)

If your pet isn’t one for bath time but you still have matted fur and tons of tangles, use coconut oil as a natural detangler. Add a few drops to your hands and massage it through your dog or cat’s fur, then let it sit a few minutes before grooming. Those mats will be no match and tangles will fall right out!

If your four-legged friend has hot spots, massage a few drops of coconut oil onto the irritated areas. Its high vitamin E content will help naturally soothe any irritations. Ahh!

3. It helps with pets’ digestion problems

Did you know you can feed coconut oil to your pet? Some claim that coconut oil for dogs can lessen that smelly doggie breath, meaning more puppy kisses all around.

Other health benefits of coconut oil for dogs and cats include improved digestion, skin, and coat health, along with better weight loss and diabetes management, helping with constipation, and improved energy and heart health.

The reason why coconut oil is such a powerful natural cure for pets is the same reason why it’s so amazing for us humans. Not only is it high in vitamin E, coconut oil contains middle chain triglycerides, or MCTs. If you’re reading that and thinking, “What is that?!,” you’re not alone! MCTs include things like lauric and oleic acid, and these make it naturally antiviral and antibacterial.

The best part about feeding coconut oil to your pet? They love it and they can’t get enough of it! Of course, that doesn’t mean you should give your dog or cat as much coconut oil as they want.

Instead, start out with small doses and gradually build up to a full dose, as recommended by your veterinarian. Larger pets can typically be fed 1-2 Tablespoons a day, while smaller pets should have no more than 1-2 teaspoons of coconut oil per day.

Your turn! Have you tried one of coconut oil cures for dogs and cats? Let us know how it went in the comments below!

I’m glad I found this article! I was just doing some research to ensure that it is safe for cats to consume. EVERY single time I get coconut oil out of the cabinet, my cat goes crazy. So I’ve been giving him a little and he loves it! I’m glad to read that it has benefits for him too! :)

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Hi Jessica,
We’re glad you found this article, too! We hope your kitty is enjoying his coconut oil, along with snuggles and lounging in the sunlight. ;)

Just Chillin’

Glad to finally find out why my dog licks my legs after I put coconut oil on to moisturize them. I don’t know how many times she has heard “Quit licking!”.

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It’s always a bit surprising to find out some of the things our pets will like. At least now you know it’s not harmful in any way to your pup! :) Thanks for reading!

Heather

We have a cat who is about 14 years old and he was throwing up multiple times a day and eating plastic. Store bought hairball remedies weren’t helping at all and just increased his wanting to eat plastic as their main componut outer than flavoring is petroleum jelly. So after reading about the use of coconut oil in adding digestion issues and as a hairball remedy we tried it. And I am happy to report we saw results after just one use. We gave him 1teaspoon full and he didn’t t puke at all that day. We have continued to admister one teaspoon full for a week and are planning to drop down to one teaspoon full 2-3 times a week. He still has not thrown up in a whole week you!

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Hi Heather,

That’s so wonderful to hear! It can be so hard trying to figure out why our pets get sick, so I’m glad your kitty is feeling better now. What a handsome guy, too!

White vinegar is highly helpful in alleviating the problem in early infestation stages. It soothes the infected region while the acidic levels (acetic acid) in white vinegar eliminate debris and dirt, revitalizing a healthy balance inside the ears.

Danielle Evans

How do you apply the vinegar?

Danielle Evans

How do you apply the vinegar?

Silvia SZ

Raw coconut oil has worked MIRACLES! No more health problems! My pug is very happy, lively and full of energy. All her digestive problems have gone and her appetite is good! When they say that coconut oil works miracles, they definitely do not exaggerate! I am truly amazed by its healing properties.